Of course there was. It got a reaction didn’t it and it makes a point.
Certain club cultures of the past have led to misdemeanors being played down or covered up in the AFL.
The AFL and its players are not perfect and no one is but the issue here is that the AFL does have a problem that they are reluctant to tackle head on.

I see David Gallop (head of NRL) in the public eye and media willing to talk and confront these issues. He takes action immediately and so he should.

Andrew Demetriou doesn’t appear to do enough and leaving it to clubs is not adequate. No club is bigger than the game.

I also think our culture of glossing over a sportspersons’ off field behaviour because of their on field success also has something to answer for.

This topic does open a Pandora’s box but it is a great topic to discuss because issues like this one need to seriously be looked at.

Thanks Jermayn

aussierulesblogs last blog post..Of Emperors and clothes . . .

“I did it to prove that the AFL is not squeaky clean as some like to think it is.” Who are these people? Are they deaf, dumb and blind amputees?

“Maybe the real issue/ conversation should be about the “Role Model” situation…” Well, indeed. See for a discussion of the matter.

The underpinning principle we have to acknowledge is that these young men are in the position they’re in primarily because of their football skills. There is no precondition that they be Rhodes scholars or ethicists. If a club picks up a Nathan Buckley or a James Hird, they’re grateful. But a Brendan Fevola or a Steve Jonhnson are just as welcome because their on-field output is so valuable.

When society ceases to expect these testosterone-fuelled elite sports machines to be choir boys, we’ll all be better off. By all means aim for a high standard of behaviour, but let’s avoid an attack of the vapours every time one of them puts a foot wrong. Better, let’s celebrate the 95% of listed players who DON’T end up spread across page one!

aussierulesblogs last blog post..Jack Anthony, you’re the man!!!

Deano you do raise a few good points and I know for myself I have made (and still do) make big mistakes.

Some boys will always continue to make mistakes but I think gone are the days when clubs just recruit a boy to their club based on their footy skills. Nick Davis is a perfect example and we have discussed before about whether if Gary Ablett snr would get a game in todays AFL before. The point I’m trying to make is that clubs have to now play parent along with everything else.